Portable structure with solar shade

Abstract

A portable structure including a solar shade is disclosed. The portable structure includes a frame comprising at least two beams, a main panel extending between the at least two beams, and a solar shade. The solar shade includes at least one solar shade panel spaced above the main panel by at least one inflatable beam to create a space between the solar shade panel and the main panel. The space creates an insulative layer to help regulate an interior temperature of the portable structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable structure, comprising:
 a frame comprising at least two beams; 
 a main panel connected to and extending between the at least two beams; and 
 a removable solar shade installed above the main panel, comprising:
 at least one solar shade panel attached to and spaced above the main panel by a first releasable attachment mechanism extending along a first edge of the at least one solar shade panel and a second releasable attachment mechanism extending along a second edge of the at least one solar shade panel; and 
 at least one inflatable beam positioned between the at least one solar shade panel and the main panel, wherein the at least one inflatable beam spaces the at least one solar shade panel above the main panel to create a space between the at least one solar shade panel and the main panel. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar shade panel extends between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are each attached to the main panel, and wherein the inflatable beam is positioned between the first edge and the second edge. 
     
     
       3. The portable structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second releasable attachment mechanisms comprise a hook and loop material, a lace-line, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable beam comprises one or more tubular structures inflatable with air or a gas. 
     
     
       5. The portable structure of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one inflatable beam is releasably or permanently attached to an underside of the at least one solar shade panel. 
     
     
       6. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable beam has a further releasable attachment mechanism configured to releasably attach the at least one inflatable beam to the main panel. 
     
     
       7. The portable structure of  claim 6 , wherein the further releasable attachment mechanism comprises a hook and loop material, a lace line, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       8. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable beam is attached to the main panel by stitching, welding or bonding. 
     
     
       9. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable beam comprises at least two inflatable beams oriented substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
       10. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar shade panel comprises a fabric material, or a mesh material. 
     
     
       11. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein, when inflated, the inflatable beam spaces the at least one solar shade panel at least four inches or ten centimeters above the main panel. 
     
     
       12. The portable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the removable solar shade is installed above the main panel without a direct connection between the solar shade and ground, independent of the first and second attachment mechanisms attaching the at least one solar shade panel to the main panel. 
     
     
       13. A solar shade for a portable structure, the solar shade comprising:
 a removable solar shade panel installed above a main panel of the portable structure, the main panel extending between two beams of the portable structure,
 wherein the solar shade panel is releasably attached to the main panel along a first edge and a second edge of the solar shade panel; and 
 
 at least one inflatable beam positioned between the solar shade panel and the main panel,
 wherein the at least one inflatable beam is configured to space the solar shade panel above the main panel of the portable structure to create a space between the solar shade panel and the main panel; 
 wherein the solar shade panel extends between the first edge and the second edge, and wherein the first edge and the second edge each has a releasable attachment configured to releasably attach the solar shade panel to the main panel along the respective edge of the solar shade panel. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The solar shade of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one inflatable beam comprises one or more tubular structures inflatable with air or a gas. 
     
     
       15. The solar shade of  claim 13 , wherein each of the releasable attachments comprises a hook and loop material, a lace line, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The solar shade of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one inflatable beam comprises two or more parallel tubular structures inflatable with air or a gas. 
     
     
       17. A method of providing the portable structure of  claim 1 , comprising:
 positioning the frame on a surface, wherein the main panel extends between the at least two beams; and 
 installing the removable solar shade above the main panel, wherein the at least one inflatable beam is positioned therebetween. 
 
     
     
       18. A method of providing the solar shade of  claim 13 , comprising:
 installing the removable solar shade panel above the main panel of the portable structure, wherein the at least one inflatable beam is positioned therebetween; and 
 inflating the at least one inflatable beam, wherein the removable solar shade panel is spaced above the main panel.